So today I read a post about a woman who was harassed while on a coach. I quite often travel on coaches and I've seen similar things happen. Not as bad as this one, but still bad. I'm not one of those people who can stand idly by, and have on more than one occasion stepped in. Usually I will address the one causing the problem, and then try is an non-threatening a way as possible, check that the victim is ok.
I've often wanted to offer to walk the victim to wherever she needs to get to, at the end of the journey, but have never really been brave enough. I'm conscious of the fact that she is already feeling defensive and vulnerable, and so another random dude offering to help could easily be interpreted as someone trying to take advantage of someone who's already in a vulnerable situation.
I'd like to find a way round that. I'd like to be able to go up to her and have some means of succinctly saying "I am not a bad guy. I think what you just experienced is horrible, and I would like to alleviate the trauma in any way I can. A while ago I had an idea but have been too disorganised and easily distracted to ever follow up on it. But I think now I need to.
So here's the idea:
Set up a site, with a name like allies.com.
When you register, you agree to a pledge, which is something like:
I pledge to help vulnerable people in difficult circumstances.
I pledge to publicly defend them.
I pledge to walk them to their destination, without them needing to fear further harassment.
I pledge to listen to their concerns and to make it clear that I understand they are the victim, not the problem.
I pledge to allow them to comment on my behaviour in a public forum so that others can see that I do what I say I will.
I pledge to leave them alone if that is what they ask me to do.
Both men and women can register, and when they do, they get a profile that people can comment on. They get an ID card with their photo on it, and something like a hologram to make it difficult to fake.
When a member sees someone in trouble, they give the victim their ID card on it, which has a link to the website on it, and an ID number so that the victim can search for the ally and see that they are who they say they are, and can be counted on as an ally.
I know there are likely lots of things I haven't thought of, but I think that there's no obstacle that the hive mind can't find a solution for.
I'd like your thoughts, feedback, suggestions, pledges and offers of help. I'd like to get to a point where allies are a force for good, that people like the woman on the coach can rely on.
Can you help me do that?
